Entertaining

Forget Scotch—try one of these delicious aged rums instead

Rum

This article was originally published in the Winter 2016 issue of Cottage Life magazine.

Rum—also called “kill devil” by 17th-century drinkers—is no longer just for giving cocktails their punch. Dark aged rums can rival single-malt Scotch or cognac as a sipping drink. Starting at about $40, these rums are pricier because they require more time and care in the making: years in oak barrels to develop their colour, aroma, and complex flavour.

The pride of Caribbean distilleries, sipping rum makes a great holiday gift for special friends…or yourself. Serve neat or, at most, with a single cube of ice.

Mount Gay Rum Extra Old

Photo courtesy of the LCBO

This rich, oaky blend of 8- to 15-year-old rums from Barbados was aged in bourbon whiskey barrels and tastes of toffee, banana, and warm spices.

Angostura 1919

Photo courtesy of the LCBO

With a front-and-centre caramel and vanilla aroma, this super-smooth eight-year-old from Trinidad makes a great introduction to sipping rum. Try it after dinner, paired with dark chocolate.

El Dorado 12-Year-Old

Photo courtesy of the LCBO

Guyana’s distinctive demerara sugar cane is the starting point for this spicy-sweet rum; some even prefer it to the pricier 15-year-old Special Reserve.

Do you have an aged rum you’d recommend?

More from Cottage Life: